Odocoileus virginianus
The most widespread deer in eastern and central North America. Also in parts of the West and southern Canada. Heart-shaped tracks, about 2 to 3.5 inches long, pointed at the front.
What does a white-tailed deer look like?
Reddish-brown in summer, gray-brown in winter. White throat and white underside of the tail. Fawns are spotted.
What do white-tailed deer tracks look like?
A walking deer places the hind foot nearly in the front track. The print is heart-shaped and splits at the front. Dewclaws show when the animal is running or in soft ground.
- Heart-shaped tracks, about 2 to 3.5 inches long, pointed at the front
- Two dewclaw marks sometimes show in mud or snow
- Pellets are oval, about 0.5 to 0.75 inch, often in a pile
- Tail flashes white when the animal runs
- Adults stand about 3 feet at the shoulder
What does white-tailed deer poop look like?
Winter and browse diet: a pile of dark oval pellets. Summer and wet forage: softer, clumped droppings. Do not handle. Do not handle droppings. Several species carry parasites that stay in the soil around a latrine, including the deer tick.
Where you find it
The most widespread deer in eastern and central North America. Also in parts of the West and southern Canada. Typical places: woods, field, yard. Tracks and droppings year-round. Antlers on bucks from late summer through winter.
What to do next
- Give the animal room, especially a doe with fawns
- Do not feed deer
- If a deer is injured in a yard or on a road, call a local wildlife officer
This page is a field guide, not a permit to approach wildlife. If an animal is injured, aggressive, or inside a house, call a local wildlife officer.
Animals it is confused with
- Mule deer identification
- Elk identification
- All animal identification pages
- Identify an animal from a photo, track, or description
Heart-shaped, pointed at the front, usually 2 to 3.5 inches long. Dewclaw dots may sit behind the main print in mud or snow.
What does deer poop look like?
A pile of small dark oval pellets when the deer has been browsing. Softer clumps after wet green forage.
How do you tell a white-tailed deer from a mule deer?
White-tails have a broad tail that flashes white and antlers with a single main beam. Mule deer have large ears and a black-tipped rope tail.
How to tell a white-tailed deer from similar animals
Use the track, the dropping, and the place together. One print is not enough.
- Mule deer. Similar heart-shaped hoof to white-tailed deer. Gray-brown body, oversized ears, black-tipped tail.
- Elk. A heavy, rounded heart print. Tall tan body, dark neck on bulls, pale rump.
White-tailed deer field marks
- Heart-shaped tracks, about 2 to 3.5 inches long, pointed at the front
- Two dewclaw marks sometimes show in mud or snow
- Pellets are oval, about 0.5 to 0.75 inch, often in a pile
- Tail flashes white when the animal runs
Where the sign shows up
The most widespread deer in eastern and central North America. Also in parts of the West and southern Canada. Typical places: woods, field, yard. Tracks and droppings year-round. Antlers on bucks from late summer through winter.
A walking deer places the hind foot nearly in the front track. The print is heart-shaped and splits at the front. Dewclaws show when the animal is running or in soft ground. Winter and browse diet: a pile of dark oval pellets. Summer and wet forage: softer, clumped droppings. Do not handle.
Common questions
What do white-tailed deer tracks look like?
Heart-shaped, pointed at the front, usually 2 to 3.5 inches long. Dewclaw dots may sit behind the main print in mud or snow.
What does deer poop look like?
A pile of small dark oval pellets when the deer has been browsing. Softer clumps after wet green forage.
How do you tell a white-tailed deer from a mule deer?
White-tails have a broad tail that flashes white and antlers with a single main beam. Mule deer have large ears and a black-tipped rope tail.